Windows to iMac without migration assistant

[Bushel of Apples]

Hello, I am a 25+ year Windows user moving to an iMac and would like to not use the migration assistant. I'm seeking a resource, like a list or table, that will compare the files and let me know what will move over and what I need to convert. Example, a pdf will move right over but a docx needs to be put into a Pages file, things like that is what I'm wanting to know. I've got everything figured out from Windows for the Pictures, Videos and Music; so, it's just what's in the Documents folder that concerns me.

 

[keysofanxiety]

Pages can open docx. And you can get MS Office for Mac.

If it’s just files you’re concerned about, I wouldn’t worry. Apple adhere to industry standards. With the exception of stuff like WMA files which are rubbish anyway, you shouldn’t experience any real hiccups.

 

[vddobrev]

You don't need t worry, just move all files from your Documents folder on Windows to the Documents folder on the iMac. Done.

 

[Bushel of Apples]

You don't need t worry, just move all files from your Documents folder on Windows to the Documents folder on the iMac. Done.

I'm actually wanting to move them all over to the iCloud Drive. I tested a .txt files, it would let me read it but not write to it.

 

[vddobrev]

I'm actually wanting to move them all over to the iCloud Drive. I tested a .txt files, it would let me read it but not write to it.

That is one hell of a task, can't imagine how many files you may have. I would recommend to just move them - you can later on classify them as you wish onto the iCloud drive.

How did you open the .txt file, with what app - TextEdit? If you can't write to it, select the file in Finder, press CMD+I (Get Info) and check the permissions at the end of the info pane - does your user have read/write privilege?

 

[Bushel of Apples]

I opened it on my iPhone X, not sure what app.

 

[vddobrev]

Re-read your original post - you do not need to convert anything, i.e. no need to convert docx or xlsx to pages or numbers file, the Mac OS apps will read them just fine. When I moved to Mac about two years ago, I just copied all my files. Then, whenever I needed to open a file, I would only then save it as a native Mac file, and that is only if it needed to be converted. As others have said, MS Office is available for Mac.

 

[Bushel of Apples]

I opened it with the iCloud Drive files app. I mean I’m not sure what app was reading it.
[doublepost=1518389225][/doublepost]

Re-read your original post - you do not need to convert anything, i.e. no need to convert docx or xlsx to pages or numbers file, the Mac OS apps will read them just fine. When I moved to Mac about two years ago, I just copied all my files. Then, whenever I needed to open a file, I would only then save it as a native Mac file, and that is only if it needed to be converted. As others have said, MS Office is available for Mac.

Perhaps the subject should read, “Windows files to iCloud Drive to be used on my iPhone and iMac”. I apologize if I don’t explain myself well but I’m completely new to Apple.

 

[vddobrev]

I opened it with the iCloud Drive files app. I mean I’m not sure what app was reading it.
[doublepost=1518389225][/doublepost]
Perhaps the subject should read, “Windows files to iCloud Drive to be used on my iPhone and iMac”. I apologize if I don’t explain myself well but I’m completely new to Apple.

Aha, so that was the key. Well, the "Files" app on the iPhone is just a preview app. Right in there from the Files app, you can click on the share icon in the upper right corner and you will see a bunch of options for editing, like "copy to pages".

Edit: If the file is native like numbers or pages, then it will open in the respective app.

 

[Bushel of Apples]

Aha, so that was the key. Well, the "Files" app on the iPhone is just a preview app. Right in there from the Files app, you can click on the share icon in the upper right corner and you will see a bunch of options for editing, like "copy to pages".

Edit: If the file is native like numbers or pages, then it will open in the respective app.

Okay, thank you for taking the time to teach me. The nearest Apple store is 300 miles away.

 

[vddobrev]

No problem, a couple more tips:

- your Documents (as well as the Desktop) folder can live on iCloud drive too, just set it in iMac System Preferences - iCloud - iCloud Drive - Options button.
- tell macOS how to open your windows files: CMD+I and in the pain select the app that will open this file in section "Open With", then click change all button, that will cause all files fo this type to open with the selected app.

 

[Bushel of Apples]

My goal with wanting to use the iCloud Drive instead of just having the files stored locally is because I travel a lot and would like full access from anywhere, if that’s possible.

 

[haruhiko]

Dropbox, Google Drive etc. All work on the Mac, iOS devices and Windows.
Just put your windows files in the Dropbox folder and install Dropbox on your Mac or iOS devices.

 

[joema2]

My goal with wanting to use the iCloud Drive instead of just having the files stored locally is because I travel a lot and would like full access from anywhere, if that’s possible.

You can also put your files on a portable USB 3.0 hard drive. Provided it is formatted ExFAT, both Windows and Mac can read/write to that.

I travel a lot as a documentary filmmaker, and I never trust internet access. In my experience over 50% of the time the internet service in hotels is overloaded, slow or just completely fouled up.

Many restaurants and coffee shops have WiFi but those are also often limited or overloaded. I frequently get better performance using 4G cellular.

If you haven't investigated pushing a lot of data up to the cloud, be advised that some ISPs have a monthly data cap, and also their service is usually highly asymmetrical -- upload is much slower than download.

If your travel is within a dense metropolitan area or the surrounding suburbs, you may be in a region with a better infrastructure, but if you are 300 miles from the nearest Apple store, maybe not.

The bottom line is a Mac can read and write from an ExFAT drive just fine, and read from NTFS. Paragon NTFS allows Macs to read/write to NTFS drives: https://www.paragon-software.com/ufsdhome/store/ntfs-mac/

On your home network your Mac and PC can also share folders with each other. If you have Apple mobile devices you can wirelessly transfer files to/from the Mac without networking using Air Drop: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203106

 

[Bushel of Apples]

What about the Air Port Time Capsule, is that accessible over the internet (not just local)? Again, my goal is to have all of my files accessible from any of my Apple devices over the internet.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

Once you get the Mac set up, plan on keeping the PC set up nearby for at least 2-3 months, as you "make your transition" from one platform to the other.

Things may actually go much faster once you get the migration underway.
But if you get hung up somewhere, you want the PC "still accessible" to get things done.

Move things "a little at a time".
For example... move music first. Once that's working on the Mac, concentrate on pictures. Get that done, then move to Word files, etc., etc.

Doing it this way makes it easier to get problems worked out.

 

[tillsbury]

This is a whole lot easier than it's being made to sound. Copy the whole lot into the Documents folder, then tell the Mac to put the entire desktop and documents folders into iCloud (in System Preferences). The directory structure will appear in all your iOS devices, and the files will be downloaded to each iOS device when you want to use it.

I agree with doing the transfer without the assistant, as you can take the opportunity to tidy everything up at the same time. That's what I did five years ago or so...

 

[Bushel of Apples]

Okay, understood and thank you.

 

[Bushel of Apples]

So, one year later here's my update, the main confusion was with understanding the difference between the "iCloud Drive" and "Files" app. I found in the end that the Apple side of this process wasn't difficult at all but rather the time consuming task of going through the years of files on my Windows computer to purge them and not move everything over to iCloud with the transfer.